Container and method of making the same



Sept. 12, 1961 T. RILEY ET AL CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMEOriginal Filed Jan. 29, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS THOMAS RILEY,DONALD ZAAS JACOB GASER 8 JOHN STRMAC BY ATTORNEYS Sept. 12, 1961 RILEYETAL 7 2,999,430

CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Original Filed Jan. 29, 1959FIG. 4

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS moms RILEY, DONALD ZAAS,

JACOB GASER a FIG-6 JOHN STRMAC Sept. 12, 1961 T. RILEY ETAL 2,999,430

CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Original Filed Jan. 29, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTORS THOMAS RILEY, DONALD ZAAS JACOB GASER & JOHNSTRMAC BY ATTORNEYS 1 Claim. or. 93--36) This invention relates to abox-like container and more particularly relates to a light-tight boxfor storing and transporting photographic film and a method of makingthe box. This application is a division of application Serial No.789,865, filed January 29, 1959.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a novel,lightweight, light-tight box adapted to have a roll of photographic filmstored and transported there- 111.

Another object of the invention is to provide the box referred to with ameans for journaling the roll of photographic film therein and a slot inthe box wall, for providing for the egress of the film while the boxremains closed and light-tight. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a box of the typereferred to which is not only lightweight and light-tight, but which canbe easily and economically manufactured at such cost that the box can bediscarded after the original supply of film stored therein has beenused.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a box of the typereferred to that is of such sturdy construction that the box can be usedrepeatedly and so made that parts thereof can be interchanged and/orreplaced at will.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved box adapted tohave a roll of unexposed photographic film stored therein comprising, incombination, top and bottom cover members connected together by anintermediate inner member having a central journal for journaling theroll of photographic film therein and a slotted opening in either thetop'or bottom covers for permitting the film to be used while it isstored in the box without stray light being admitted to damage the filmin the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box as set forth in thepreceding object in which one of the box covers such as the bottom coverof the box is of a stepped configuration for providing a more sturdy boxconstruction and an improved configuration which permits a strip of filmto be drawn out of the box with ease and free of any damage thereto.Another advantage of the stepped configuration is that the steppedportion permits the box to be supported in an upright position by asuitable frame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method ofmanufacturing the box referred to in the preceding objects.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction,and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects andadvantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to whichit pertains from the following description of the present preferredembodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which similar reference characters represent correspondingparts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique longitudinal sectional view along Cir line 22 ofFIG. 1 with a roll of photographic film, which is shown in hiddenoutline, mounted in operative position;

FIG. 3 is an oblique transverse sectional view along line 3-'-3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a developed view of the upper cover of the box;

FIG. 5 is'a developed view of the intermediate and interconnecting innermember of the box;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a journal and the upper coverand inner member in assembly, but with one corner of the assembly beingcut away to better illustrate details of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one part of the bottom cover of the box,with the box part being shown in a developed view, and a film guideshown in perspective;

FIG. 8 is a developed view of the other part of the bottom cover of thebox; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled bottom cover of the boxbut with one corner cut away to better illustrate details of theinvention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the detailsof construction and arrangements of parts shown in the drawings andhereinafter described in detail, but is capable of being otherwiseembodied and of being practiced or carried out in various Ways. It is tobe understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and. there is no intention to herein limitthe invention beyond the requirements of the prior art. It will also beunderstood that although the invention is especially adapted. to house aroll of photographic film strip therein, the invention may also be usedto house other strip material.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, theinvention is embodied in a box, indicated generally by the referencenumeral 10. The box 10 comprises an upper or top cover 11 and a lower orbottom cover 12 of stepped configuration held together by aninterconnecting box-like..inside portion or intermediate member 13,FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6, so that no stray light is allowed to penetrate the box10 between the box covers 11, 12. 1

As shown in FIG. 2, a strip of coiled material, such as unexposedphotographic film, is shown in hidden outline at 14 mounted upon acentral journal 15". The journal 15 is a paper ferrule or cylindercarried by the member 13, as best seen in FIG. 3. The free end of thefilm 14 is passed between a slotted opening 16 in the bottom of thelower cover 12 between a pair of L-shaped guide tabs 17, 18 which arepreferably of paper backed black velvet. The velvet-faced sides of theguides 17, 1% face each other and prevent damage to the film 14 and prevent any stray light from entering the box 10 thereat.

The upper cover 11, more specifically, is generally rectangular with thelower side being open. FIG. 4 shows a developed view of the upper cover11 having the end portions 11 and the side portions 11 each having oneside integrally connected to or common to an upper side or wall 11. Theupper cover is assembled by bending the ends 11 and sides 11* downwardlyalong the dotted border lines which can be formed by perforating,creasing, or scoring in a known manner. The adjoining edges of the ends11 and sides 11 are secured together with tape in a known manner.

The interconnecting inside member 13, FIG. 5, is com prised of twoparallel end portions 13 and two parallel side portions 13', with one ofthe end portions 13 connecting both of the side portions 13 togetheralong parallel edges. The other end portion, 13, has an edge; connectedto an edge, of one of the side members 13 The dotted lines definingthecommon edges are perfo, rated, creased, or scored in a known manner forthe easy a generally rectangularly shaped tube with both the a g vasoaaao I a V n folding therealong, whereby the free edge'of the sideportion 13 and the free side of the end portion 13 can be fastenedtogether so as to form the member 13- into upper and lower ends, orsides, open. V v

Each of the side portions 13 of the member 13' has a circular opening20forn1ed therein. The openings 20 have centers more closely spaced tothe lower edges of the side portions 13' thanto the upper edges thereof,as

seen in FIG. 5, but have centers equally spaced from the' edges ofthemember 13 seated flush against the undersurface of the top portion 11of the cover 11. Preferably, the parallel side portions 11 of the cover11 extend downwardly a sufi icient distance to partially enclose theside openings 26 of the member 13 and prevent the ferrule 15 frombecoming displaced.

Preferably, the end portions 13 of the member 13 extend below the loweredges of the adjacent side portions 13 for seating against a supportingsurface of the lower cover 12.

The lower cover 12, discounting the film guides 17, 18, is preferablyformed of two parts 21, 22 that are fastened together with suitablemeans such as staples 23, FIGS. 7-9.

More particularly, the cover part 21 comprises two rectangular endportions 21- and two rectangular side portions 21 bordering the fouredges of a rectangular central or bottom portion 21. 21, which areparallel, are each formed with a flange 2 1, FIGS. 7 and 9, on its edge,which is spaced from the central portion 21. Each'of the portions 21, bare bent upwardly and are preferably taped together at the adjoiningedges so that the portions 21, b remain at right angles to the bottomportion 21, FIG. 9. The flange portions 21 are bent to right angles withthe adjoining end portions 21 for a purpose to be described. The coverpart 21 is in the shape of a rectangular box with an open top.

The bottom 21 of the box cover part 21 is closed exceptfor atransversely disposed rectangular, but relatively narrow guide slot 21adapted to receive the film guides 17, 18 and hold the same in spacedrelationship. The slot 21 is slightly smaller in length than the widthof the central bottomportion 21, but'wide enough to permit the passageof the film for which the box is to be used. Also, the slot 21 is spacedclosely to one end of the central portion 21 but far enough from thefold line of the one end to permit one leg of the L-shaped guide 17 tobe stapled to the intervening central portion 21. The other leg of theguide 17, which leg is the longer of the two legs, extends upwardlythrough the slot 21 into the bottom part 21. Similarly, the otherL-shaped guide 18 has its shorter leg stapled to the centralportion 21on the opposite side of the slot 21, so that the longer leg extendsupwardly through the slot 21 intothe part 21 in opposite relationship tothe guide 17. Preferably, the upwardly extending leg of the guide 18 isshorter than the upwardly extending leg of the guide 17, FIG. 9, so thattlhe film 14 can be easily threaded between the guides 17, 8.

The other part 22 of the bottom cover 12, FIG. 8, com prises twoparallel and rectangular end portions 22 and two paralleland rectangularside portions 22 connected to the four edges of a rectangular centerportion 22. Actually, the center portion 22 is formed with a large,symmetrically located rectangular cutout 22 having a width equalto thatof the portion 22 and a length less than the total length of the portion22, but as great as the total length of the side and central portions 21of Although the end and side portions 22, b have the.

same height when folded and assembled, the side portions 2i extend abovethe end portions 21 to provide side portions 21 that can be easilystapled to the juxtaposed side portions 22 The flange portions 21 are ofsufficient width to assure theeasy stapling thereof to the juxtaposedcenter portions 22 which are provided for that purpose.

As pointed out in the objects, the portions 22 provide the bottom cover12 with a stepped configuration so that the box 10 can be mounted in aframe and off of its bottom 21 to allow the film 14 to be pulled out. ofthe box In through the slot 16 provided therefor.

In order to load the box 10 with the roll of film- 14, th film isjournaled on the ferrule 15 and inserted between the side portions 13 ofthe member 13 with the ends of the ferrule 15 mounted in the openings 20provided there- The two end portions 7 for. Preferably, the upper cover11 is slipped over the member 13, FIG. .6, so that the extended ends ofthe end portions 13 are exposed. The cover 11 assures that the ferrule15 will remain in assembly with the member 13.

Next, the free end of the film 14 is threaded through the slot ldfromthe inside of the bottom cover 12 and the latter is telescoped over theinner member 13 and seated agaimt the juxtaposed lower peripheral edgeof the upper cover 11. The film 14 is then ready for dispensing and use.

For purpose of transporting or shipping the box 10 with a roll of film14, the free end of the film need not be threaded through the slot 16.'Also, in order to prevent the disassembly of the box 10, the covers 11,12 can be taped together until the box is to be made ready for use oropened.

Preferably, the box 10 is made of a paper cardboard which is made opaquewith a black paper, paint, or other suitable material. However, it is tobe understood that other materials, known as equivalents to one skilledin the art, may be substituted.

It is the intention to hereby cover not only the above mentionedmodifications of the preferred construction shown, but all adaptations,modifications, and-uses thereof which come within the practice of thoseskilled in the art to which the invention relates, and the scope of theappended claim.

Having described our invention, We claim:

A method of forming a container adapted to house a roll of photo-graphicfilm comprising the steps of forming an upper cover member from a firstblank by folding the sides and ends thereof together and fastening thesame, and forming a substantially rectangular mating photographic spoolsupport member by folding a substantially rectangular member into aspool support having an open top and bottom, forming circular andregistering openings in the sides of said spool support member andfastening therein a spool member adapted to mate therewith and rest onthe openings, forming a rectangular-shaped open top bottom cover memberfrom a blank by folding the ends thereof upwardly and fastening the sametogether andforming a larger size rectangular-shaped open top bottomcover member to said open top bottom cover member being of substantiallythe size of the upper cover member and adapted to mate with and fit overthe spool support, said larger open top bottom cover member havingReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS WeberMar. 30, 1937 Kieckhefer Oct. 11, 1938 Rines et a1. Oct. 29, 1946Sevison July 15, 1958

